The Best Open World Game of 2016

Honorable Mention: No Man’s Sky

It’s award season here at Twinfinite! Starting with a few runner ups, let’s look back at the best open world games from this year and our 2016 winner! 

In spite of all the controversy surrounding it, there’s little doubt that No Man’s Sky contains the biggest open world environment we’ve seen in recent years. Boasting a total of 18 quintillion planets, No Man’s Sky allows players to travel around the universe, discovering and naming planet-sized terrains.

While the game’s content did feel a little lackluster at launch, No Man’s Sky’s latest Foundation update has added a multitude of new features for players to experiment with. Base-building and greenhouse-tending are now included as extra activities players can take advantage of, not to mention the recruitment of alien NPCs to help tend to your flora when you’re out exploring. Planets are finally starting to feel a little more diverse and lively after the much-needed update, breathing new life into a universe that initially felt far too lonely.

Second Runner Up: The Division

The Division’s open world isn’t exactly pretty, but there is something absolutely captivating about wandering around snowy Manhattan, and observing ruined versions of real-life landmarks. While the whole of The Division takes place during the winter, the day/night cycles, along with the snowy weather, add some diversity to the landscape so it never feels old or boring.

The side quests scattered all over Manhattan have you explore abandoned apartments and help to flesh out the dark story that Ubisoft has crafted here as well. There might not be a lot of variety to the side content in The Division, but its eerie atmosphere is fitting for the game, and is a treat to explore, especially the first time through.

First Runner Up: Watch Dogs 2

With Watch Dogs 2, Ubisoft has successfully brought the city of San Francisco to life in an open world game. The city and its culture feel vibrant, and the lovely sense of tourism permeates throughout the game. This is especially true with the use of the in-game ScoutX app, which allows players to spot various landmarks and take selfies with them. If you really want to turn Watch Dogs 2 into a San Fran tourist simulator, you can even walk over to Fisherman’s Wharf and buy a few cheesy t-shirts from the souvenir stands.

Watch Dogs 2 isn’t exactly filled to the brim with side content, but its optional missions do take you all over the city, giving you a satirical insight to what the life of a typical San Franciscan is like.

Winner: Final Fantasy XV

Final Fantasy XV has its flaws, but the open world aspect is not one of them. The game’s map is absolutely massive, and it’s positively littered with a plethora of things to do and see. While there is a fast travel option available, driving around the region in your posh car is a far more satisfying way to get from place to place. You never know when Prompto might want to stop for a quick photo, or what sorts of strange monsters you might encounter along the way, and that’s a true testament to just how well-done the open world is in Final Fantasy XV.

While driving can feel tedious and restrictive, the game lets you loose with the Chocobo service, and allows players to go off-roading on the backs of these adorable and fluffy creatures. The region hides all manners of secrets, from optional dungeons to crazy bosses you’d never encounter in the main story. Even after you’ve completed your journey, returning to Duscae will allow you to clean up all your side quests, post-game dungeons, and go on optional hunts.

Congratulations to Final Fantasy XV, the winner of our Best Open World Game of 2016 award! Be sure to visit back this week more award announcements including the big one, our game of the year for 2016!